NHL Rumors II: Maple Leafs – Gardiner, Franson, Nonis and Shanahan

Kevin McGran: Jake Gardiner said that the Maple Leafs offered a bridge deal and the five year deal he ended up signing. It was his choice.

Hope Smoke: Doug MacLean: “You still need a Franson to log some mins. Yeah they want to move him. They don’t probably like the number…” “…eventually Franson will be gone. They’ve tried to move him & fought with him on contracts.” … “I think Franson’s been ok. He’s a valuable guy that can log some minutes. You have to get somebody better before you move him out” … “I don’t see anyone on their depth chart that can come in and take Franson’s minutes. You have to be careful there”

Hope Smoke: Doug MacLean: “My biggest question is: where is Dave Nonis? How does an assistant GM get hired & the GM not be there?” … “Dave had some personal things he had to attend to? Ok. Back the hiring off 3 or 5 or 7 days so he can be there” … “The GM should be there when the assistant GM is hired. Are you kidding me?” … “Why the panic? Was there 10 teams lined up that they couldn’t wait 3 days to have the GM in there so he can make the announcement?” … “I’m saying where was he? Make it happen and stall it so he can be there.” … “I listen to the Gardiner announcement yesterday. I’m talking to agents & Shanahan’s doing the negotiations with them” … “I’d just like to know where Dave is. You know, if he’s not the GM then tell us.” … “We’ve seen assistant coaches and GMs get fired but you still have the guy who hired them running the team. It’s bizarre” … “Is this the functional way to run an organization? If Brendan wants to be the GM then name himself as the GM”